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Australia is home to more than one million species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. Among the most well-known of these are the koala, wombat, kangaroo, kookaburra and platypus.

This itinerary will give you a great chance to see some of the country’s amazing wildlife in some of the most stunning destinations, including major capital cities.

The journey

See one of the largest little penguin colonies on Phillip Island, get up close with Tasmanian Devils at Cradle Mountain and see the third largest Australian Sea Lion colony on Kangaroo Island.

Nearest major city

Melbourne

Distance

14 days

Mode of transport

Plane, car and ferry

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Day one

Begin your journey in Melbourne, with its famed laneways, world renowned restaurants and inspiring art scene.

In the early evening, wander back into the city, or hop aboard one of Melbourne’s iconic trams, and head towards Federation Square, where art meets architecture. The innovation and skill of local artists, designers and curators is on display at a range of eclectic galleries and theatres including the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Day two

Start today early in order to make the most of the day or, alternatively, you can break these activities into two days for a leisurely experience.

Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne is Healesville Sanctuary which has more than 200 species of Australian wildlife. Highlights include strolling amongst kangaroos, birds of prey feedings, reptile shows, aviary visits and the most comprehensive platypus exhibit in the world, where you can enjoy a hands-on experience in the shallow water of the platypus play pool.

Spend the afternoon exploring one of Australia’s most stylish wine regions, the Yarra Valley, where you’ll arguably find some of the country’s best Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. There are over 55 wineries in the region, 40 of which offer wine tastings and cellar door sales.

Beyond wine, the Yarra Valley also offers some of the best restaurants in regional Victoria showcasing the lush and bountiful local produce.

Day three

On day three drive just under two hours to Phillip Island, famous for its abundance of wildlife. Spend your morning strolling through bushland to see koalas in their native environment at the Koala Conservation Centre.

Next take a wildlife cruise to Seal Rocks to see one of the largest colonies of Australian fur seals. Alternatively visit Nobbies Centre, only five minutes from the Penguin Parade, where you can see Australian fur seals from the land for free. Afterwards stroll the boardwalks with terrific views of Phillip Island’s rugged south coast and blowhole.

In the evening visit the Phillip Island Penguin Parade, one of Victoria’s most popular attractions, to see wild little penguins emerge from the sea and waddle across the beach to their dune burrows. The little penguin is the world’s smallest penguin species and Phillip Island is home to one of the largest little penguin colonies in the world.

Day four

Drive just under two hours back to Melbourne and fly to Hobart, Tasmania.

Tasmania is an island paradise, just an hour from mainland Australia. As well as abundant wildlife, you will experience great food and wine and some of the world’s most beautiful scenery.

Spend the afternoon at Mount Wellington, just a 20 minute drive from the city of Hobart. Rising 1271m above the port city, buses from the centre leave frequently to the summit, which has viewing platforms and walking trails with fabulous views over Hobart. On a clear day, you might see as far as the mountain Ben Lomond in the far northeast and the peaks of the World Heritage Area in the south west.

Day five

Take a ferry to MONA + Pavilions from the Salamanca's Brook Street Wharf. A picturesque 30-minute ferry ride and you arrive at MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) on the banks of Tasmania's mighty Derwent River. A privately funded contemporary art museum, MONA was a gift to Tasmania from a local art-loving philanthropist. The museum houses several galleries and an award-winning restaurant, The Source, with French-inspired food. Wines served at the restaurant are made on the property at the Moorilla Estate winery, and beers from Moo Brew, the onsite micro-brewery.

After returning to Hobart on the ferry, spend a relaxed evening on the waterfront at Constitution Dock. Most would know this famous dock as the finish line for the annual Sydney to Hobart Yacht race. Along with the cruising yachts, the busy marina also serves Antarctic supply ships and deep sea trawlers. Stop in for a drink at the Henry Jones Art Hotel, a luxurious art themed hotel set inside the heritage warehouses of a former jam factory that dates back to the 1820s. When you start to get hungry there are plentiful seafood restaurants lining the wharf.

Day six

From Hobart, drive 45 minutes south to the Bruny Island Ferry Terminal in Kettering and take a ferry to Bruny Island.

This sparsely populated island off the southeast coast of Tasmania is a beautiful wilderness of beaches, rugged landscape and forests and is celebrated for its produce; particularly artisan cheese and Pacific oysters. During a day trip, you can hike along walking trails and wild sandy beaches, see the famous Cape Bruny Lighthouse and then order some freshly shucked oysters. Hop on a Bruny Island cruise to see the Island’s tremendous array of unspoilt coastline, towering clifftops and vast number of sea and coastal wildlife, including seal colonies, before returning to Hobart for the evening.

Day seven

Just over a two hour drive north of Hobart is the Freycinet National Park which offers spectacular coastal scenery including pink granite outcrops called the Hazards, powdery white sand beaches, colourful wildflowers and a variety of Tasmanian animals.

Take a walk to the Wineglass Bay lookout (one and half hour return) for a terrific view of Wineglass Bay, regularly listed as one of the world’s best beaches. Or for a longer more challenging walk you can take a loop trip via the Isthmus Track to Hazards Beach (four hours return). During your walk keep an eye out for wildlife including white-bellied sea-eagles, quolls, wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils.

Day eight

Just under a two hour drive from Freycinet National Park is Tasmania’s second major city, Launceston.

Located just minutes from Launceston’s centre is the jewel of the city, Cataract Gorge. This natural attraction features walls of vertical cliffs lining the South Esk River and is surrounded by a wildlife reserve. The gorge features beautiful scenic walks, rock climbing, a suspension bridge and a 400 metre chairlift that ferries you over the First Basin and brings the remarkable gorge into a whole new perspective.

The Tamar Valley, just north of Launceston, is one of the state’s most prominent wine-making regions and well worth a visit to some cellar doors for tastings. Standout vineyards for inviting and unique atmospheres, not to mention impressive wines, include Josef Chromy Wines, Pipers Brook Vineyard and Tamar Ridge.

Day nine

The next part of your adventure will take you through Tasmania’s green and thriving landscapes to another of its dynamic natural attractions, Cradle Mountain, which is just over two hours’ drive from Launceston.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park features rugged landscape, ancient rainforests and icy glaciers fed by cascading mountain waterfalls. World famous for its magnificent five-day trek known as the Overland Track, there are shorter tracks available that are just as spectacular. The main track to the summit will take approximately six to eight hours, and has some difficult sections. The two hour Dove Lake Loop Track takes you all the way around the glistening lake, while short walks like the Enchanted Walk are around half an hour and include charming waterfalls, pools and lush rainforest.

Before you leave the area, get an up close-up look at the state’s most famous resident by visiting the Tasmanian Devil Sanctuary. Take part in the After Dark Feeding Tour to have the opportunity to pat one of the little Devils before witnessing their fierce feeding time.

Day ten

There is no better place to begin a tour of South Australia than in Adelaide city. With an interesting history and love of unique architecture, Adelaide offers a variety of exhibitions, galleries, art walks and historical insight on the North Terrace. Deemed the cultural hub of Adelaide, you’ll find the Art Gallery of South Australia and the South Australian Museum here, home to the most extensive collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material and famous for its leading natural history exhibit. Nearby you’ll find the Migration Museum, a visual history of the immigration and settlement of South Australia.

Keep an eye out for the City Loop Bus, which will take you around the city for free.

Day eleven

No visit to South Australia is complete without an expedition to the Barossa Valley just under 90 minutes’ drive from Adelaide. If you have time, it’s worth heading west for half an hour to stop at the little German tourist town of Hahndorf. Staying true to the heritage of the Lutheran settlers who migrated to Australia around 1838, Hahndorf is a charming European village with original restored buildings and a vibrant German lifestyle.

One hour north of Hahndorf is the heart of the Barossa country. One of several wine regions in the state, the Barossa is home to many of Australia’s most popular varieties, including well-known brands such as Jacob’s Creek, Penfold’s, Wolf Blass and Yalumba. Each winery has its own unique flavour in terms of the wines it produces and a selection of wines are available for tasting at their cellar door.

Of course there’s more to the Barossa than just wine. Visit Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop for a taste test of all her famous jams and spreads, and daily cooking demonstration run by Maggie Beer’s team. If you plan to stay in the area for longer, enjoy a peaceful birds-eye view of the Barossa in a dawn hot-air balloon ride.

Day twelve

Around two and half hours south of the Barossa Valley is Cape Jervis where you can jump on a ferry for a relaxing 45 minute voyage to Kangaroo Island, one of South Australia’s most famous attractions and known as ‘Australia’s Galapagos’ due to the abundance of native wildlife. Over 155 kilometres (93 miles) in length and Australia’s third largest island, you might be tempted to spend a few days exploring the soaring cliffs and white sandy beaches.

Head to Seal Bay Conservation Park, home to the third largest Australian Sea Lion colony in Australia with a population around 1,000. In order to preserve the ecosystem and limit the disturbance to the colony, the park offers visitors three types of tours including guided and self-guided options.

Next up is Hanson Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, around an hour’s drive away and known for its abundance of native birds and wildlife including Koalas, Kangaroos, Tammar Wallabies, Black Cockatoos, Possums and Echidnas. The sanctuary’s self-guided Koala Walk is considered the best place on the island to see koalas in the wild and is open every day of the week. You may even like to visit at night and take part in the sanctuary’s 90 minute Nocturnal Walks with one of their experienced guides to see many of Australia’s animals at their most active.

Day thirteen

Today on Kangaroo Island visit Remarkable Rocks, huge granite boulders perched on a dome rising 75 metres out of the sea in the Flinders Chase National Park. These rocks have been shaped by the erosive forces of the wind, sea spray and rain over 500 million years and provide amazing photo opportunities at different times of the day. Another natural wonder in the national park that is worth visiting is Admirals Arch, a perfect sweep of rock under which the surf pounds and the fur seals play.

Kangaroo Island has also made a name for itself in the world of local, fresh gourmet foods and wine. Foodies can tour the island with a vision to visit the Chapman River Cellar Door at Cape Willoughby, drop into local farms for fresh hand-made cheeses and sit down to enjoy Kangaroo Island’s restaurants and cafes.

Day fourteen

Return to Adelaide and spend your last day at the wharf in the beachside suburb of Glenelg, approximately a four hour trip from Kangaroo Island.

While it’s a delight to sit by the bobbing yachts anytime during the day, the wharf is famous for delivering some spectacular sunset views for evening diners. Take a walk along Jetty Road and enjoy free live entertainment and street performers, relax on the sand and soak in the atmosphere, or stroll through Glenelg’s main shopping precinct.

Before you leave Adelaide, visit Haigh’s visitors centre, a short drive from the city centre. Chocolate lovers will find themselves in heaven at Haigh’s, regarded as one of Australia’s finest chocolate companies. Take a free guided tour through the historic factory to see how the magic happens, and pick up a little treat for the journey home.

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